JP2022036621A - Refrigeration cycle device and refrigeration cycle system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a refrigeration cycle device capable of improving detection accuracy of corrosion of refrigerant piping.SOLUTION: A refrigeration cycle device according to the disclosure includes a first heat exchanger, a compressor, a second heat exchanger, and an expansion mechanism. The refrigeration cycle device further includes: refrigerant piping which connects the first heat exchanger, the compressor, the second heat exchanger, and the expansion mechanism so as to circulate a refrigerant therethrough, and contains copper as a main component; an ACM (atmospheric corrosion monitor) sensor which is disposed on at least one of an outside surface of the refrigerant piping and the circumference of the refrigerant piping, and detects corrosion current; and a processing unit which determines the corrosion of the refrigerant piping on the basis of a change in the corrosion current detected by the ACM sensor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present disclosure relates to a refrigeration cycle apparatus and a refrigeration cycle system.

As a refrigerating cycle device, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses an absorption chiller capable of detecting local corrosion.

Patent Document 1 discloses an absorption chiller provided with corrosion detecting means for detecting corrosion of constituent materials of the inner wall of the refrigerator. The corrosion detecting means by the refrigerator described in Patent Document 1 includes a pair of electrodes arranged so as to be immersed in an absorbent liquid in an apparatus, a measuring means for measuring a current flowing between the electrodes, and a measured current. It is provided with an alarm means for issuing an alarm when the value exceeds a predetermined value.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-286441

However, the refrigerator described in Patent Document 1 still has room for improvement in terms of improving the accuracy of corrosion detection.

Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerating cycle apparatus and a refrigerating cycle system capable of improving the accuracy of corrosion detection in solving the above-mentioned problems.

The refrigeration cycle apparatus of one aspect of the present disclosure is
A refrigeration cycle device including a first heat exchanger, a compressor, a second heat exchanger, and an expansion mechanism.
A refrigerant pipe that connects the first heat exchanger, the compressor, the second heat exchanger, and the expansion mechanism, circulates the refrigerant, and contains copper as a main component.
An ACM (Atmospheric Corrosion Controller) sensor, which is arranged on at least one of the outer surface of the refrigerant pipe and the periphery of the refrigerant pipe and detects a corrosion current,
A processing unit that determines corrosion of the refrigerant pipe based on the change in the corrosion current detected by the ACM sensor, and a processing unit.
Have.

The refrigeration cycle system of one aspect of the present disclosure is
A refrigeration cycle device equipped with a first heat exchanger, a compressor, a second heat exchanger and an expansion mechanism,
A processing device that communicates with the refrigeration cycle device via a network,
Equipped with
The refrigeration cycle device is
A refrigerant pipe that connects the first heat exchanger, the compressor, the second heat exchanger, and the expansion mechanism, circulates the refrigerant, and contains copper as a main component.
An ACM (Atmospheric Corrosion Controller) sensor, which is arranged on at least one of the outer surface of the refrigerant pipe and the periphery of the refrigerant pipe and detects a corrosion current,
A storage unit that stores information on the corrosion current detected by the ACM sensor, and
A first communication unit that transmits information on the corrosion current stored in the storage unit via the network, and
Have,
The processing device is
A second communication unit that receives information on the corrosion current via the network, and
A processing unit that determines corrosion of the refrigerant pipe based on the change in the corrosion current, and
Have.

According to the present disclosure, the accuracy of corrosion detection can be improved.

It is a schematic diagram of an example of the refrigeration cycle apparatus of Embodiment 1 which concerns on this disclosure. It is a schematic diagram of the ACM sensor of Embodiment 1. It is sectional drawing of the ACM sensor with the water film of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the corrosion current detected by the ACM sensor of Embodiment 1 and the elapsed time. It is an enlarged view of a part of the corrosion current of FIG. 4A. It is a schematic diagram of the 1st heat exchanger of Embodiment 2 which concerns on this disclosure. It is sectional drawing of the bending part with ACM sensor of Embodiment 2. FIG. It is sectional drawing of the bending part with ACM sensor of the modification 1 of Embodiment 2. It is a block diagram of the refrigeration cycle apparatus of Embodiment 3 which concerns on this disclosure. It is a block diagram of the refrigeration cycle system of Embodiment 4 which concerns on this disclosure.

(Background to this disclosure)
In the refrigerating cycle device, the refrigerant pipe for circulating the refrigerant is made of, for example, a material containing copper as a main component. In general, copper is a metal with high corrosion resistance.

However, in a refrigerant pipe containing copper as a main component, corrosion of the refrigerant pipe locally progresses in a short period of time under specific conditions, and the corrosion may penetrate the refrigerant pipe. For example, when formaldehyde contained in an adhesive used as a building material is oxidized around a refrigerant pipe, ant nest corrosion in which a cavity is generated in the refrigerant pipe is likely to occur. Further, in the refrigerant piping, if ammonia is present around the portion where the bending stress is applied, stress corrosion cracking is likely to occur. Therefore, in order to deal with corrosion before it penetrates the refrigerant pipe, it is required to improve the accuracy of corrosion detection in the refrigeration cycle device.

Therefore, the present inventors have examined the configuration of a refrigerating cycle device that detects corrosion of a refrigerant pipe using an ACM sensor. Further, the present inventors have diligently studied the change in the corrosion current detected by the ACM sensor in the configuration, and found that the corrosion of the refrigerant pipe containing copper as a main component can be accurately detected based on the change in the corrosion current. I found.

Based on these novel findings, the present inventors have reached the following disclosure.

The refrigeration cycle apparatus of the first aspect of the present disclosure is
A refrigeration cycle device including a first heat exchanger, a compressor, a second heat exchanger, and an expansion mechanism.
A refrigerant pipe that connects the first heat exchanger, the compressor, the second heat exchanger, and the expansion mechanism, circulates the refrigerant, and contains copper as a main component.
An ACM (Atmospheric Corrosion Controller) sensor, which is arranged on at least one of the outer surface of the refrigerant pipe and the periphery of the refrigerant pipe and detects a corrosion current,
A processing unit that determines corrosion of the refrigerant pipe based on the change in the corrosion current detected by the ACM sensor, and a processing unit.
Have.

With such a configuration, the accuracy of detecting corrosion of the refrigerant pipe can be improved.

In the refrigeration cycle apparatus of the second aspect of the present disclosure, the ACM sensor may be arranged in the refrigerant pipe arranged in at least one of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. ..

With such a configuration, it is possible to improve the accuracy of detecting corrosion of the refrigerant pipe arranged in at least one of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger.

In the refrigeration cycle apparatus of the third aspect of the present disclosure, the refrigerant pipe arranged in at least one of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger has a bent portion.
The ACM sensor may be arranged at the bent portion.

With such a configuration, it is possible to improve the accuracy of detecting corrosion at the bent portion of the refrigerant pipe arranged in at least one of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger.

In the refrigeration cycle apparatus of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the ACM sensor is composed of a conductive base material and a substrate.
An insulating layer laminated on the base material and being an electrically insulating substance,
A cathode electrode laminated on the insulating layer and having a surface potential higher than that of the base material is provided.
The main component of the base material and the main component of the refrigerant pipe may be the same.

With such a configuration, the base material is formed of the same constituent material as the refrigerant pipe, so that the accuracy of detecting corrosion of the refrigerant pipe can be further improved.

In the refrigerating cycle apparatus of the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the thickness of the base material and the thickness of the refrigerant pipe may be substantially the same.

With such a configuration, it is possible to improve the detection accuracy of stress corrosion cracking of the refrigerant pipe.

In the refrigerating cycle apparatus of the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the base material may be formed as a part of the refrigerant pipe.

With such a configuration, it is possible to detect the actual corrosion of the refrigerant pipe and further improve the accuracy of detecting the corrosion in the refrigerant pipe.

The refrigerating cycle apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present disclosure may further include a display unit that displays a determination result of corrosion of the refrigerant pipe determined by the processing unit.

With such a configuration, the determination result of corrosion can be displayed to the user, and it is possible to prompt the user to deal with the corrosion.

In the refrigeration cycle apparatus of the eighth aspect of the present disclosure, the processing unit is
The rising interval in which the time derivative of the corrosion current increases above the threshold value and
Immediately after the rising section, the decreasing section in which the corrosion current decreases and the decreasing section
Detected
Corrosion of the refrigerant pipe may be determined when the rising section is less than 1 second and the decreasing section is 1 second or more and less than 30 seconds.

With such a configuration, the processing unit can determine the corrosion of the refrigerant pipe based on the change in the corrosion current.

In the refrigeration cycle apparatus of the ninth aspect of the present disclosure, the threshold value may be 5 μA / s.

With such a configuration, when the time derivative value of the corrosion current in the rising section increases at 5 μA / s or more, the processing unit can determine the corrosion of the refrigerant pipe. This makes it possible to further improve the accuracy of detecting corrosion of the refrigerant pipe containing copper as a main component.

The refrigerating cycle apparatus according to the tenth aspect of the present disclosure may further include a four-way valve that changes the direction in which the refrigerant flows in the refrigerant pipe.

With such a configuration, for example, the accuracy of detecting corrosion in an air conditioner can be improved.

The refrigeration cycle system of the eleventh aspect of the present disclosure is
A refrigeration cycle device equipped with a first heat exchanger, a compressor, a second heat exchanger and an expansion mechanism,
A processing device that communicates with the refrigeration cycle device via a network,
Equipped with
The refrigeration cycle device is
A refrigerant pipe that connects the first heat exchanger, the compressor, the second heat exchanger, and the expansion mechanism, circulates the refrigerant, and contains copper as a main component.
An ACM (Atmospheric Corrosion Controller) sensor, which is arranged on at least one of the outer surface of the refrigerant pipe and the periphery of the refrigerant pipe and detects a corrosion current,
A storage unit that stores information on the corrosion current detected by the ACM sensor, and
A first communication unit that transmits information on the corrosion current stored in the storage unit via the network, and
Have,
The processing device is
A second communication unit that receives information on the corrosion current via the network, and
A processing unit that determines corrosion of the refrigerant pipe based on the change in the corrosion current, and
Have.

With such a configuration, the accuracy of detecting corrosion of the refrigerant pipe in the refrigerating cycle device can be improved, and the information of the corrosion current detected by the ACM sensor can be transmitted from the refrigerating cycle device to another device.

(Embodiment 1)
The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the following description, an air conditioner during cooling operation will be described as an example of the refrigeration cycle device according to the first embodiment, but the refrigeration cycle device is not limited to the air conditioner.

[overall structure]
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 of the first embodiment according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerating cycle device 1 includes a first heat exchanger 2, a compressor 3, a second heat exchanger 4, an expansion mechanism 5, a refrigerant pipe 6, a four-way valve 8, and an ACM (Atmospheric Corporation Controller) sensor. 11 and a processing unit 12 are provided.

In the refrigeration cycle device 1, a part of the first heat exchanger 2 and the refrigerant pipe 6 constitutes an indoor unit 9 and is arranged indoors. On the other hand, a part of the compressor 3, the second heat exchanger 4, the expansion mechanism 5, the four-way valve 8, and the refrigerant pipe 6 constitutes the outdoor unit 10 and is arranged outdoors.

<1st heat exchanger>
The first heat exchanger 2 includes fins, a refrigerant pipe 6 arranged inside the first heat exchanger 2, and an indoor fan. The fins are composed of a plurality of thin metal plates, and the surfaces of the metal plates are arranged so as to be parallel to each other. Fins are used to exchange heat with air. The refrigerant pipe 6 is arranged in a state of being orthogonal to the surface of the fin and bent so as to repeatedly penetrate the fin, and vaporizes the refrigerant flowing into the first heat exchanger 2. The indoor fan blows out the air whose temperature has been adjusted by the first heat exchanger 2 toward the room.

<Compressor>
The compressor 3 is connected to the first heat exchanger 2 and the four-way valve 8 by the refrigerant pipe 6. The compressor 3 is used to compress the refrigerant flowing in from the refrigerant pipe 6 on the first heat exchanger 2 side.

<Second heat exchanger>
The second heat exchanger 4 includes fins, a refrigerant pipe 6 arranged inside the second heat exchanger 4, and an outdoor fan. The fin has a structure similar to that of the fin of the first heat exchanger 2. The refrigerant pipe 6 is arranged in a state of being orthogonal to the surface of the fin and bent so as to repeatedly penetrate the fin, and liquefies the refrigerant flowing into the second heat exchanger 4. The outdoor fan blows out the air whose temperature has been adjusted by the second heat exchanger 4 toward the outside.

<Expansion mechanism>
The expansion mechanism 5 is connected to the first heat exchanger 2 and the second heat exchanger 4 by the refrigerant pipe 6. The expansion mechanism 5 is used to expand the refrigerant flowing in from the refrigerant pipe 6 on the second heat exchanger 4 side. For example, the expansion mechanism 5 is an expansion valve.

<Refrigerant piping>
The refrigerant pipe 6 is arranged so as to connect the first heat exchanger 2, the compressor 3, the four-way valve 8, the second heat exchanger 4, and the expansion mechanism 5. Further, the refrigerant pipe 6 constitutes a part of the first heat exchanger 2 and the second heat exchanger 4. For example, the refrigerant pipe 6 is arranged so as to connect the first heat exchanger 2, the compressor 3, the four-way valve 8, the second heat exchanger 4, and the expansion mechanism 5 in this order.

The refrigerant pipe 6 has a flow path through which the refrigerant flows inside the refrigerant pipe 6, and circulates the refrigerant. For example, the refrigerant pipe 6 has a hollow cylindrical shape.

The refrigerant pipe 6 contains copper as a main component. The material constituting the refrigerant pipe 6 contains 80 wt% or more of copper. Preferably, the material constituting the refrigerant pipe 6 contains 95 wt% or more of copper. More preferably, the material constituting the refrigerant pipe 6 contains 99 wt% or more of copper. Further, the material constituting the refrigerant pipe 6 may contain phosphorus of 0.015 wt% or more and 0.40 wt% or less. For example, examples of the material constituting the refrigerant pipe 6 include oxygen-free copper C1020, phosphorus-deoxidized copper C1220, and highly-phosphorus-deoxidized copper C1260. Further, the resistance to corrosion can be improved by the amount of phosphorus added to the copper of the refrigerant pipe 6. For example, when the refrigerant pipe 6 is made of highly phosphorylated copper C1260, the resistance to ant's nest corrosion in which cavities are generated in the refrigerant pipe 6 is increased.

<Four-way valve>
The four-way valve 8 is connected to the compressor 3, the first heat exchanger 2, and the second heat exchanger 4 by the refrigerant pipe 6. During the cooling operation, the four-way valve 8 sends the refrigerant flowing out of the compressor 3 to the second heat exchanger 4. On the other hand, the four-way valve 8 changes the direction in which the refrigerant flows depending on the operation mode (cooling operation, heating operation) of the refrigerating cycle device 1.

<ACM sensor>
The ACM sensor 11 reproduces the corrosion of the refrigerant pipe 6 and detects the corrosion current due to the reproduced corrosion. The ACM sensor 11 may quantitatively measure the corrosion current continuously from the start of use of the refrigeration cycle device 1. For example, the ACM sensor 11 measures the corrosion current every 0.1 seconds.

The ACM sensor 11 is arranged on the outer surface of the refrigerant pipe 6. In the first embodiment, the ACM sensor 11 is arranged on the outer surface of the refrigerant pipe 6 of the first heat exchanger 2.

In order to match the corrosive environment of the ACM sensor 11 with the corrosive environment of the refrigerant pipe 6, the ACM sensor 11 is attached to the refrigerant pipe 6. That is, the ACM sensor 11 is attached to a portion of the refrigerant pipe 6 where corrosion is desired to be detected. The ACM sensor 11 may be deformed according to the shape of the outer surface of the refrigerant pipe 6 and attached to the refrigerant pipe 6. That is, the ACM sensor 11 may have flexibility. For example, the ACM sensor 11 can be attached to the refrigerant pipe 6 by attaching with an adhesive layer provided on the back surface of the ACM sensor 11, attaching with an adhesive, brazing, soldering, and spot welding. Further, by inserting the ACM sensor 11 into the case attached to the refrigerant pipe 6, the ACM sensor 11 can be attached to the refrigerant pipe 6.

The dimensions of the ACM sensor 11 may be designed according to the installation location and installation method.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the ACM sensor 11 of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the ACM sensor 11 includes a base material 13, an insulating layer 14, a cathode electrode 15, a conducting wire 20, and an insulating protective layer 21.

The base material 13 is made of a conductive material. For example, the base material 13 is made of the same material as the material constituting the refrigerant pipe 6. In the first embodiment, the base material 13 contains copper as a main component as in the refrigerant pipe 6. Therefore, the corrosion of the refrigerant pipe 6 can be reproduced by the base material 13. As a result, the corrosion of the refrigerant pipe 6 can be accurately detected based on the corrosion of the base material 13 in the ACM sensor 11.

The base material 13 is formed in a plate shape. By reducing the thickness of the base material 13, the ACM sensor 11 can be easily deformed and the shape of the ACM sensor 11 can be matched to the installation location of the ACM sensor 11. Further, the thickness of the base material 13 and the thickness of the refrigerant pipe 6 may be substantially the same. For example, the thickness of the base material 13 is 0.8 times or more and 1.2 times or less the thickness of the refrigerant pipe 6. Preferably, the thickness of the base material 13 is 0.9 times or more and 1.1 times or less the thickness of the refrigerant pipe 6.

The insulating layer 14 is formed in a plate shape. The insulating layer 14 is laminated on one surface of the base material 13. On the other hand, the base material 13 is also exposed on the surface after the insulating layer 14 is laminated.

The insulating layer 14 is an electrically insulating material. The material forming the insulating layer 14 is, for example, a resin.

The cathode electrode 15 is laminated on the surface of the insulating layer 14 opposite to the base material 13.

The cathode electrode 15 is made of a material that is conductive and has a noble surface potential with respect to the base material 13. When the surface potential of the cathode electrode 15 is noble with respect to the base material 13, the base material 13 preferentially corrodes, so that the corrosion of the refrigerant pipe 6 can be detected by using the ACM sensor 11. For example, the cathode electrode 15 is made of silver or carbon whose surface potential is noble than that of copper of the base material 13.

The ACM sensor 11 includes a conductor 20 between the base material 13, the cathode electrode 15, and the processing unit 12, and the conductor 20 electrically connects the conductors 20 to each other. The conductor 20 is made of an electrically conductive material. For example, the conductor 20 is made of copper.

The insulating protective layer 21 is arranged at the connection point between the conductor 20, the base material 13, and the cathode electrode 15 to protect the connection point. The insulating protective layer 21 is made of an electrically insulating material. For example, the insulating protective layer 21 is made of resin.

<Processing unit>
The elements constituting the processing unit 12 include, for example, a memory (not shown) storing a program for functioning these elements and a processing circuit (not shown) corresponding to a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). , The processor may function as these elements by executing the program.

The processing unit 12 determines the corrosion of the refrigerant pipe 6 based on the change in the corrosion current. More specifically, the processing unit 12 determines the corrosion of the refrigerant pipe 6 by determining whether or not the corrosion current detected by the ACM sensor 11 has a spike signal. For example, the processing unit 12 determines that corrosion has occurred in the refrigerant pipe 6 when the corrosion current has a spike signal.

The spike signal is a sudden change in the current value in the corrosion current. The spike signal is composed of a rising section R1 and a decreasing section R2 shown in FIG. 4B, which will be described later. The rising section R1 is a section in which the time derivative value of the corrosion current increases above a certain threshold value. On the other hand, the decrease section R2 is a section that occurs immediately after the rising section R1 and the corrosion current decreases. Since the current decreases, the time derivative value of the decrease interval R2 is less than 0 μA / s, that is, negative. When the rising section R1 in which the time differential value is equal to or greater than the threshold value continues for a time t1 and the decreasing section R2 in which the corrosion current decreases continues for a time t2, the processing unit 12 determines that the corrosion current has a spike signal, and determines that the corrosion current has a spike signal. Corrosion may be determined. For example, the time t1 is less than 1 second, and the time t2 is 1 second or more and less than 30 seconds. Further, for example, the threshold value of the time derivative value of the rising interval R1 is 5 μA / s.

The processing unit 12 is electrically connected to the ACM sensor 11. The processing unit 12 may be arranged around the ACM sensor 11.

[motion]
An example of the operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 will be described in detail.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the ACM sensor 11. In FIG. 3, the ACM sensor 11 is connected to the processing unit 12 via the lead wire 20. A water film 19 is formed on the surface of the ACM sensor 11.

The water film 19 is a continuous water film and comes into contact with a part of the base material 13 and a part of the cathode electrode 15. A plurality of water films 19 may be formed on the ACM sensor 11. The water film 19 is formed, for example, when the temperature of the base material 13 is lower than the ambient temperature and the ACM sensor 11 is dewed. Further, the water film 19 is formed even when the humidity around the base material 13 is high.

Since water has electrical conductivity, the base material 13 and the cathode electrode 15 become conductive due to the formation of the water film 19. Since there is a potential difference between the base material 13 and the cathode electrode 15, a corrosion current flows. Corrosion current flows from the base material 13 toward the cathode electrode 15, and electrons move from the cathode electrode 15 toward the base material 13. The corrosion current flows from the cathode electrode 15 to the processing unit 12.

The ACM sensor 11 detects the corrosion current of the base material 13. When the base material 13 is corroded by the water film 19, the corrosion current detected by the ACM sensor 11 changes. The processing unit 12 determines the corrosion of the refrigerant pipe 6 based on the change in the corrosion current.

In the first embodiment, the base material 13 of the ACM sensor 11 and the refrigerant pipe 6 are made of the same material. Further, the ACM sensor 11 is attached to the outer surface of the refrigerant pipe 6 of the first heat exchanger 2. Therefore, the corrosion of the refrigerant pipe 6 can be reproduced by the base material 13. As a result, the processing unit 12 can estimate the occurrence of corrosion of the refrigerant pipe 6 based on the change in the corrosion current generated by the corrosion of the base material 13 of the ACM sensor 11.

The change in current due to corrosion will be described in detail.

First, local corrosion of copper used as a material for forming the base material 13 and the refrigerant pipe 6 will be described. Examples of local corrosion of copper include ant's nest corrosion and stress corrosion cracking. In ant's nest corrosion, intricately branched microcavities are formed inside the copper, for example, inside the wall of the refrigerant pipe 6. Ant colony corrosion is more likely to occur in the presence of carboxylic acid around copper. For example, carboxylic acid is generated when formaldehyde contained in an adhesive used as a building material is oxidized. Further, in stress cracking corrosion, cracks are generated from the surface of copper, for example, the outer surface of the refrigerant pipe 6. Stress corrosion cracking occurs in the presence of ammonia around copper under bending stress. Ammonia comes from, for example, pet urine.

When normal corrosion occurs in the base material 13 containing copper as a main component due to humidity or salt damage, the copper forming the base material 13 is oxidized and emits electrons. Corrosion of the base material 13 increases the corrosion current flowing through the base material 13. On the other hand, when local corrosion of the base material 13 containing copper as a main component occurs, the copper forming the base material 13 is oxidized and a large number of electrons are emitted in a short period of time. Local corrosion of the substrate 13 increases the corrosion current flowing through the substrate 13. Also, the increase in corrosion current due to local corrosion is a sharper increase than normal corrosion due to humidity or salt damage and is a spike signal. Therefore, when local corrosion occurs, the ACM sensor 11 detects the spike signal of the corrosion current. That is, the spike signal indicates the occurrence of local corrosion of copper and can be used to detect the corrosion of copper.

FIG. 4A is a graph showing the relationship between the corrosion current detected by the ACM sensor 11 and the elapsed time. FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of a part of the corrosion current of FIG. 4A. In FIG. 4A, an arrow indicates a spike signal indicating the occurrence of corrosion of the base material 13 containing copper as a main component. FIG. 4B shows one enlarged view of the spike signal shown in FIG. 4A.

In copper corrosion, the spike signal has a rising section R1 and a decreasing section R2 that occurs immediately after the rising section R1. As described above, the processing unit 12 determines the corrosion of the refrigerant pipe 6 based on the rising section R1 and the decreasing section R2 of the corrosion current.

The determination of corrosion by the processing unit 12 is a determination of the presence or absence of corrosion of the refrigerant pipe 6. For example, when a spike signal is generated, it is determined that there is corrosion, and when a spike signal is not generated, it is determined that there is no corrosion. Further, the corrosion state such as the size of the corrosion region, the corrosion rate, and the life of the refrigerant pipe 6 may be determined based on other information related to the spike signal detected by the ACM sensor 11. For example, the corrosion state is determined based on the maximum current value, the number of occurrences, or the frequency of occurrence of the spike signal.

[effect]
According to the refrigerating cycle apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

The refrigeration cycle apparatus includes a first heat exchanger 2, a compressor 3, a second heat exchanger 4, and an expansion mechanism 5. The refrigeration cycle device 1 further includes a refrigerant pipe 6, an ACM sensor 11, and a processing unit 12. The refrigerant pipe 6 connects the first heat exchanger 2, the compressor 3, the second heat exchanger 4, and the expansion mechanism 5, circulates the refrigerant, and contains copper as a main component. The ACM sensor 11 is arranged on the outer surface of the refrigerant pipe 6 and detects a corrosion current. The processing unit 12 determines the corrosion of the refrigerant pipe 6 based on the change in the corrosion current detected by the ACM sensor 11.

With such a configuration, the accuracy of corrosion detection can be improved. Specifically, since the corrosion current is detected using the ACM sensor 11 and the corrosion of the refrigerant pipe 6 is determined based on the change in the detected corrosion current, the corrosion detection accuracy can be improved.

By arranging the ACM sensor 11 on the outer surface of the refrigerant pipe 6, the accuracy of detecting corrosion in the refrigerant pipe 6 can be further improved. Specifically, by arranging the ACM sensor 11 on the outer surface of the refrigerant pipe 6, the corrosive environment of the ACM sensor 11 and the corrosive environment of the refrigerant pipe 6 can be matched. Thereby, for example, the temperature of the ACM sensor 11 is synchronized with the temperature of the refrigerant pipe 6. In this case, due to the synchronization of the temperature, the ACM sensor 11 will condense to the same extent as the refrigerant pipe 6. By reproducing the dew condensation on the refrigerant pipe 6, the corrosion of the refrigerant pipe 6 can be reproduced by using the ACM sensor 11, and the accuracy of detecting the corrosion can be improved.

The temperature synchronization is performed, for example, by heat conduction between the base material 13 of the ACM sensor 11 and the refrigerant pipe 6. Further, since the main component of the refrigerant pipe 6 is copper and the thermal conductivity of copper is high, it is easy to realize temperature synchronization.

The ACM sensor 11 is arranged in the refrigerant pipe 6 arranged in the first heat exchanger 2.

With such a configuration, the accuracy of detecting corrosion in the refrigerant pipe 6 can be further improved. Specifically, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1, since the difference between the temperature of the refrigerant pipe 6 of the first heat exchanger 2 and the ambient temperature is likely to occur, the refrigerant pipe 6 of the first heat exchanger 2 is likely to cause dew condensation. Easy to corrode. By arranging the ACM sensor 11 in the refrigerant pipe 6 which is easily corroded, corrosion can be detected more reliably. Further, by arranging the ACM sensor 11 in a place where the refrigerant pipe 6 is easily corroded in the refrigerating cycle device 1, it is possible to detect the sprout of corrosion in the refrigerant pipe 6. As a result, it is possible to detect in advance a failure of the refrigerating cycle device 1 due to corrosion of the refrigerant pipe 6.

The ACM sensor 11 includes a base material 13, an insulating layer 14, and a cathode electrode 15. The base material 13 has conductivity, and the main component of the base material 13 and the main component of the refrigerant pipe 6 are the same. The insulating layer 14 is laminated on the base material 13 and is an electrically insulating substance. The cathode electrode 15 is laminated on the insulating layer 14, and has a higher surface potential than the base material 13.

With such a configuration, a corrosion current flows between the base material 13 and the cathode electrode 15, and corrosion of the refrigerant pipe 6 can be determined based on the change in the corrosion current.

Further, since the main component of the base material 13 and the main component of the refrigerant pipe 6 are the same, the accuracy of detecting corrosion in the refrigerant pipe 6 can be further improved. Specifically, the main component of the base material 13 and the refrigerant pipe 6 is copper. Therefore, the material characteristics of the base material 13 and the refrigerant pipe 6 are the same. As a result, the corrosion of the refrigerant pipe 6 can be reproduced on the base material 13, and the corrosion of the refrigerant pipe 6 can be determined based on the change in the corrosion current due to the occurrence of the corrosion of the base material 13. As a result, the accuracy of detecting corrosion of the refrigerant pipe 6 can be improved. Further, since the material properties of the base material 13 and the refrigerant pipe 6 are the same, for example, the water repellency of the surface is the same, and the area, thickness, and the like of the water film 19 formed on the surface are the same. Therefore, the accuracy of corrosion detection can be further improved.

Since the main component of the base material 13 is copper, the electric conductivity of the base material 13 is high and the electric resistance of the base material 13 is small. Therefore, it is easy to detect a weak corrosion current flowing through the base material 13 and a change in the corrosion current.

The thickness of the base material 13 is substantially the same as the thickness of the refrigerant pipe 6.

With such a configuration, the accuracy of detecting corrosion of the refrigerant pipe 6 can be further improved. Specifically, since the thickness of the base material 13 and the refrigerant pipe 6 are substantially the same, it becomes easy to reproduce the temperature state, the dew condensation state, and the stress state of the refrigerant pipe 6 by using the base material 13. Therefore, the corrosion of the refrigerant pipe 6 can be reproduced by using the base material 13, and the accuracy of detecting the corrosion can be further improved.

The processing unit 12 detects a rising section R1 and a decreasing section R2 in the corrosion current. In the rising section R1, the time derivative value of the corrosion current increases above the threshold value. In the decreasing section R2, immediately after the rising section R1, the corrosion current decreases. When the rising section R1 is less than 1 second and the decreasing section R2 is 1 second or more and less than 30 seconds, the processing unit 12 determines that the refrigerant pipe 6 is corroded.

With such a configuration, the processing unit 12 can determine the corrosion of the refrigerant pipe 6 containing copper as a main component based on the change in the corrosion current.

The first threshold is 5 μA / s.

With such a configuration, when the time derivative value of the corrosion current in the rising section R1 increases at 5 μA / s or more, the processing unit 12 can determine the corrosion of the refrigerant pipe 6 containing copper as a main component. As a result, the accuracy of detecting corrosion of the refrigerant pipe 6 containing copper as a main component can be further improved.

The refrigerating cycle device 1 further includes a four-way valve 8 that changes the direction in which the refrigerant flows in the refrigerant pipe 6.

With such a configuration, it is possible to improve the accuracy of detecting corrosion in an air conditioner during cooling operation, for example, as in the refrigeration cycle device 1 according to the first embodiment.

In the first embodiment, the air conditioner during the cooling operation has been described as an example of the refrigeration cycle device 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the refrigeration cycle device 1 may be an air conditioner during heating operation. Further, the refrigerating cycle device 1 may be a refrigerating device such as a refrigerator.

In the first embodiment, an example in which the refrigerant pipe 6 is arranged so as to connect the first heat exchanger 2, the compressor 3, the four-way valve 8, the second heat exchanger 4, and the expansion mechanism 5 has been described. The pipe 6 may be connected to other elements such as an accumulator and a valve.

In the first embodiment, an example in which the ACM sensor 11 is arranged on the outer surface of the refrigerant pipe 6 of the first heat exchanger 2 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The ACM sensor 11 may be arranged in at least one of the first heat exchanger 2 and the second heat exchanger 4. For example, the ACM sensor 11 may be arranged on the outer surface of the refrigerant pipe 6 of the second heat exchanger 4. Alternatively, the ACM sensor 11 may be arranged in both the refrigerant pipes 6 of the first heat exchanger 2 and the second heat exchanger 4.

Alternatively, the ACM sensor 11 may be arranged in another part of the refrigerant pipe 6.

In the first embodiment, an example in which the refrigeration cycle device 1 includes one ACM sensor 11 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The refrigeration cycle device 1 may include one or more ACM sensors 11.

In the first embodiment, an example in which the ACM sensor 11 is arranged on the outer surface of the refrigerant pipe 6 of the refrigerating cycle device 1 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The ACM sensor 11 may be arranged on at least one of the outer surface of the refrigerant pipe 6 and the periphery of the refrigerant pipe 6. Being arranged around the refrigerant pipe 6 means that it is indirectly arranged in the refrigerant pipe 6 via other parts. For example, the ACM sensor 11 may be arranged on the fin of the first heat exchanger 2 to which the refrigerant pipe 6 is connected. Further, the ACM sensor 11 may be arranged on the outer surface of the dummy pipe that does not allow the refrigerant to pass through. The dummy pipe is arranged proximal to the refrigerant pipe 6 to synchronize the temperature. Corrosion detection accuracy can be further improved by arranging the ACM sensor 11 in a place where the temperature of the installation place is lower than the temperature of the surrounding atmosphere and dew condensation is likely to occur, or a place where a stress load is applied.

In the first embodiment, an example in which the main component forming the base material 13 is copper has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The material forming the base material 13 may be any material that corrodes preferentially over the cathode electrode 15. Further, the material forming the base material 13 may be any material that can reproduce the corrosion of the refrigerant pipe 6.

(Embodiment 2)
The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the second embodiment, the points different from the first embodiment will be mainly described. In the second embodiment, the same or equivalent configurations as those in the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals. Further, in the second embodiment, the description overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the first heat exchanger 2 of the second embodiment according to the present disclosure.

The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the refrigerant pipe 6 arranged in the first heat exchanger 2 has a bent portion 7, and the ACM sensor 11 is arranged in the bent portion 7.

In the second embodiment, the refrigeration cycle device 1 is the same as the first embodiment unless otherwise specified.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the first heat exchanger 2, a plurality of fins 17 are arranged at intervals. In the first heat exchanger 2, the refrigerant pipe 6 is arranged so as to penetrate the plurality of fins 17. Further, the refrigerant pipe 6 is bent and has a bent portion 7. The arrow in FIG. 5 indicates the direction in which the refrigerant flows during the cooling operation of the refrigeration cycle device 1.

The bent portion 7 of the refrigerant pipe 6 protrudes from the fin 17 on the side surface of the first heat exchanger 2 and is bent. That is, the bent portion 7 is in a state where bending stress is applied. For example, the bent portion 7 is curved in a U shape. In the second embodiment, the refrigerant pipe 6 of the first heat exchanger 2 has a plurality of bent portions 7.

During the cooling operation of the refrigeration cycle device 1, in the refrigerant pipe 6 of the first heat exchanger 2, the temperature of the refrigerant is lower in the bent portion 7a on the inlet side than in the bent portion 7b on the outlet side of the refrigerant. Therefore, the bent portion 7a has a higher relative humidity and is more likely to corrode than the bent portion 7b. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the ACM sensor 11 is arranged at the bent portion 7a on the inlet side of the refrigerant of the first heat exchanger 2.

The ACM sensor 11 is deformed according to the shape of the bent portion 7 and attached to the bent portion 7.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the bent portion with the ACM sensor 11 of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the ACM sensor 11 is attached so as to be in close contact with the outer surface of the bent portion 7. That is, the ACM sensor 11 is deformed along the outer shape of the bent portion 7. Therefore, the ACM sensor 11 also reproduces the state in which the bending stress is applied as in the bending portion 7. The ACM sensor 11 can be attached to the bent portion 7 by brazing, soldering, and spot welding. Further, by inserting the ACM sensor 11 into the case attached to the bent portion 7, it can be attached to the refrigerant pipe 6.

[effect]
The refrigerant pipe 6 arranged in the first heat exchanger 2 has a bent portion 7, and the ACM sensor 11 is arranged in the bent portion 7.

With such a configuration, the accuracy of detecting stress corrosion cracking in the refrigerant pipe 6 can be improved. Specifically, since the base material 13 is arranged along the bent portion 7 of the refrigerant pipe 6, the bent shape of the bent portion 7 of the refrigerant pipe 6 can be reproduced by using the base material 13. Here, by further reproducing the main component and the thickness of the refrigerant pipe 6 using the base material 13, the bending stress state at the bent portion 7 of the refrigerant pipe 6 can be reproduced in the base material 13. By reproducing the stress state at the bent portion 7 of the refrigerant pipe 6, the stress corrosion cracking of the refrigerant pipe 6 can be reproduced by using the base material 13, and the detection accuracy of the stress corrosion cracking can be improved.

In the second embodiment, an example in which the ACM sensor 11 is arranged at the bent portion 7 of the refrigerant pipe 6 of the first heat exchanger 2 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the refrigerant pipe 6 arranged in at least one of the first heat exchanger 2 and the second heat exchanger 4 has a bent portion 7, and the ACM sensor 11 may be arranged in the bent portion 7. good. For example, the ACM sensor 11 may be arranged at the bent portion 7 of the refrigerant pipe 6 of the second heat exchanger 4. The ACM sensor 11 may be arranged at the bent portion 7 of both the refrigerant pipes 6 of the first heat exchanger 2 and the second heat exchanger 4.

In the second embodiment, an example in which one ACM sensor 11 is arranged in one of the bent portions 7a among the plurality of bent portions 7 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of ACM sensors 11 may be arranged in a plurality of bent portions 7.

In the second embodiment, an example in which the bent portion 7 in which the ACM sensor 11 is arranged is the bent portion 7a on the inlet side of the refrigerant has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The ACM sensor 11 may be arranged at the bent portion 7b on the outlet side of the refrigerant. Further, it may be arranged in the bent portion 7 other than the refrigerant pipe 6 of the first heat exchanger 2 and the second heat exchanger 4.

In the second embodiment, an example in which the ACM sensor 11 is attached to the bent portion 7 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in the modification 1 described later, the base material 13 may be formed by a part of the refrigerant pipe 6.

(Modification 1)
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the ACM sensor 11A of the modified example of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the base material 13 of the ACM sensor 11A is formed by a part of the bent portion 7 of the refrigerant pipe 6. The insulating layer 14 of the ACM sensor 11A is attached along the outer surface of the bent portion 7. The cathode electrode 15 is laminated on the surface of the insulating layer 14 opposite to the bent portion 7. In the first modification, the other configuration of the ACM sensor 11A is the same as that of the ACM sensor 11 of the second embodiment. As a method for forming such an ACM sensor 11A, a method of directly printing the insulating layer 14 on the bent portion 7 can be mentioned.

With such a configuration, the actual corrosion current of the refrigerant pipe 6 can be detected, and the accuracy of corrosion detection can be further improved. In the first modification, the ACM sensor 11A can directly detect the corrosion of the refrigerant pipe 6. In addition, the number of parts can be reduced and space can be saved.

In the first modification, the example in which the base material 13 of the ACM sensor 11A is formed by a part of the bent portion 7 of the refrigerant pipe 6 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The base material 13 may be formed of a refrigerant pipe 6 other than the bent portion 7. For example, the base material 13 may be formed of a part of the refrigerant pipe 6 extending linearly.

(Embodiment 3)
The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the third embodiment, the points different from the first embodiment will be mainly described. In the third embodiment, the same or equivalent configurations as those in the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals. Further, in the third embodiment, the description overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the refrigeration cycle device 1A according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure.

The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the refrigerating cycle device 1A has a display unit 16.

In the third embodiment, the refrigeration cycle device 1A is the same as the refrigeration cycle device 1 of the first embodiment unless otherwise specified.

The display unit 16 displays the determination result of corrosion of the refrigerant pipe 6 determined by the processing unit 12. The determination result of corrosion is, for example, the presence or absence of corrosion. The display unit 16 includes an LED and a control circuit for controlling the LED. The control circuit turns on the LED by receiving the signal from the processing unit 12. For example, when the processing unit 12 determines that there is corrosion, it transmits a signal to the control unit circuit of the display unit 16. The control circuit turns on the LED when it receives the signal from the processing unit 12. The LED is arranged at a position that can be visually recognized by the user of the refrigeration cycle device 1A. For example, the LED is arranged outside the indoor unit 9.

[effect]
The display unit 16 displays the determination result of corrosion of the refrigerant pipe 6 determined by the processing unit 12.

With such a configuration, the determination result of corrosion of the refrigerant pipe 6 can be displayed to the user of the refrigerating cycle device 1A. Therefore, by informing the user of the need for replacement or repair of the refrigerant pipe 6, it is possible to take measures for the refrigerant pipe 6 before penetrating the refrigerant pipe 6.

In the third embodiment, an example in which the refrigerating cycle device 1A includes the display unit 16 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The display unit 16 may not be included in the components of the refrigeration cycle device 1A. The display unit 16 may be a display independent of the refrigeration cycle device 1A. When the display unit 16 is independent of the refrigeration cycle device 1A, the refrigeration cycle device 1A and the display unit 16 may include a communication unit. The communication unit includes a circuit that communicates with the display unit 16 in accordance with a predetermined communication standard (for example, LAN, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark)). For example, the display of the remote controller of the refrigeration cycle device 1A may function as the display unit 16. The refrigeration cycle device 1A transmits information on the corrosion determination result to the remote controller by the communication unit. The remote controller may receive the information of the corrosion determination result by the communication unit and display the corrosion determination result on the display of the remote controller. Further, the display of the smartphone may function as the display unit 16. Specifically, the communication unit of the refrigeration cycle device 1A and the smartphone may communicate with each other and display the corrosion determination result on the smartphone. For example, an application corresponding to the refrigeration cycle device 1A may be provided in the smartphone, and the corrosion determination result may be displayed on the smartphone by the application.

In the third embodiment, an example in which the LED of the display unit 16 is turned on depending on the presence or absence of corrosion has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The display unit 16 may display information related to the spike signal determined by the processing unit 12 with or instead of the presence or absence of corrosion. For example, when the display unit 16 has a display, the display unit 16 may display the presence / absence of a spike signal, the maximum current value, the number of occurrences, or the frequency of occurrence as numerical values.

Further, the display unit 16 may display the progress state of corrosion in three stages. For example, the display unit 16 is provided with three LEDs of green, yellow, and red, the green LED is lit before the occurrence of corrosion, the yellow LED is lit immediately after the occurrence of corrosion, and the red LED is lit one month after the occurrence of corrosion. do.

Further, the display unit 16 is not limited to the visual display, and may be a speaker that emits an alarm sound. For example, when the processing unit 12 determines that corrosion has occurred, the display unit 16 may sound an alarm sound.

In the third embodiment, an example in which the display unit 16 is provided in the first embodiment has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The display unit 16 may be provided in the second embodiment and the first modification.

(Embodiment 4)
The refrigeration cycle system 41 according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the fourth embodiment, the points different from the first embodiment will be mainly described. In the fourth embodiment, the same or equivalent configurations as those in the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals. Further, in the fourth embodiment, the description overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the refrigeration cycle system 41 of the fourth embodiment according to the present disclosure.

The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the refrigeration cycle system 41 includes the refrigeration cycle device 1B.

In the fourth embodiment, the refrigeration cycle device 1B is the same as the refrigeration cycle device 1 of the first embodiment unless otherwise specified.

[overall structure]
As shown in FIG. 9, the refrigeration cycle system 41 includes a refrigeration cycle device 1B and a processing device 51.

<Refrigeration cycle device>
The refrigeration cycle device 1B includes a first heat exchanger 2, a compressor 3, a second heat exchanger 4, an expansion mechanism 5, a refrigerant pipe 6, an ACM sensor 11, a storage unit 42, and a first communication unit 43.

<Memory>
The storage unit 42 stores information on the corrosion current detected by the ACM sensor 11. The storage unit 42 is, for example, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, DVD or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device. May be good.

<1st communication unit>
The first communication unit 43 transmits the information stored in the storage unit 42 via the network. Specifically, the first communication unit 43 transmits information on the corrosion current to the processing device 51 via the network. The first communication unit 43 is a circuit that transmits to the second communication unit 53 of the processing device 51 in accordance with a predetermined communication standard (for example, LAN, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark)). including.

<Processing equipment>
The processing device 51 includes a processing unit 12 and a second communication unit 53. The processing device 51 is a computer. For example, the processing device 51 is a server or a cloud.

<Second communication unit>
The second communication unit 53 receives the information on the corrosion current transmitted by the first communication unit 43 via the network. The second communication unit 53 receives from the first communication unit 43 of the refrigerating cycle device 1B in accordance with a predetermined communication standard (for example, LAN, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark)). Includes circuits to do.

The processing unit 12 determines corrosion based on the information on the corrosion current received by the second communication unit 53.

[motion]
In the refrigeration cycle device 1B, the corrosion current is detected by the ACM sensor 11 and the information on the corrosion current is stored in the storage unit 42. The first communication unit 43 transmits the information on the corrosion current stored in the storage unit 42 to the second communication unit 53. In the processing device 51, information on the corrosion current is received by the second communication unit 53. The processing unit 12 determines the corrosion of the refrigerant pipe 6 of the refrigerating cycle device 1B based on the information of the corrosion current received by the second communication unit 53.

[effect]
The refrigeration cycle system 41 of one aspect of the present disclosure includes a refrigeration cycle device 1B and a processing device 51. The refrigeration cycle device 1B includes a first heat exchanger 2, a compressor 3, a second heat exchanger 4, and an expansion mechanism 5. The processing device 51 communicates with the refrigeration cycle device 1B via a network. The refrigerating cycle device 1B further includes a refrigerant pipe 6, an ACM (Atmospheric Corrosion Controller) sensor 11, a storage unit 42, and a first communication unit 43. The refrigerant pipe 6 connects the first heat exchanger 2, the compressor 3, the second heat exchanger 4, and the expansion mechanism 5, circulates the refrigerant, and contains copper as a main component. The ACM sensor 11 is arranged on at least one of the outer surface of the refrigerant pipe 6 and the periphery of the refrigerant pipe 6 to detect the corrosion current. The storage unit 42 stores information on the corrosion current detected by the ACM sensor 11. The first communication unit 43 transmits information on the corrosion current stored in the storage unit 42 via the network. The processing device 51 has a second communication unit 53 and a processing unit 12. The second communication unit 53 receives the information on the corrosion current via the network. The processing unit 12 determines the corrosion of the refrigerant pipe 6 based on the change in the corrosion current.

With such a configuration, the accuracy of corrosion detection in the refrigeration cycle device 1B can be improved, and information on the corrosion current detected by the ACM sensor 11 can be transmitted from the refrigeration cycle device 1B to another device. Specifically, the information on the corrosion current detected by the ACM sensor 11 can be transmitted to the processing device 51 independent of the refrigeration cycle device 1B. For example, when the seller has the processing device 51, the maintenance service can be provided based on the determination of corrosion by the processing unit 12. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of failure of the refrigeration cycle device 1B, improve the efficiency of the maintenance service, and improve the satisfaction of the user.

The processing device 51 may receive information from a plurality of refrigeration cycle devices 1B.

Although the present invention has been fully described in connection with preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, various modifications and modifications are obvious to those skilled in the art. It should be understood that such modifications and modifications are included within the scope of the invention as long as it does not deviate from the scope of the invention according to the appended claims.

The refrigerating cycle apparatus and refrigerating cycle system of the present disclosure are useful as an air conditioner because they can improve the accuracy of detecting corrosion of a refrigerant pipe containing copper as a main component.

1, 1A, 1B Refrigerating cycle device 2 1st heat exchanger 3 Compressor 4 2nd heat exchanger 5 Expansion mechanism 6 Refrigerant piping 7 Bending part 8 Four-way valve 9 Indoor unit 10 Outdoor unit 11, 11A ACM sensor 12 Processing part 13 Base material 14 Insulation layer 15 Refrigerant electrode 16 Display unit 17 Fin 19 Water film 20 Lead wire 21 Insulation protection layer 41 Refrigeration cycle system 42 Storage unit 43 First communication unit 51 Processing device 53 Second communication unit

Claims (11)

A refrigeration cycle device including a first heat exchanger, a compressor, a second heat exchanger, and an expansion mechanism.
A refrigerant pipe that connects the first heat exchanger, the compressor, the second heat exchanger, and the expansion mechanism, circulates the refrigerant, and contains copper as a main component.
An ACM (Atmospheric Corrosion Controller) sensor, which is arranged on at least one of the outer surface of the refrigerant pipe and the periphery of the refrigerant pipe and detects a corrosion current,
A processing unit that determines corrosion of the refrigerant pipe based on the change in the corrosion current detected by the ACM sensor, and a processing unit.
Has a refrigeration cycle device. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ACM sensor is arranged in the refrigerant pipe arranged in at least one of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. The refrigerant pipe arranged in at least one of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger has a bent portion.
The refrigeration cycle device according to claim 2, wherein the ACM sensor is arranged at the bent portion. The ACM sensor has a conductive base material and
An insulating layer laminated on the base material and being an electrically insulating substance,
A cathode electrode laminated on the insulating layer and having a surface potential higher than that of the base material is provided.
The refrigerating cycle apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the main component of the base material and the main component of the refrigerant pipe are the same. The refrigerating cycle apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the thickness of the base material and the thickness of the refrigerant pipe are substantially the same. The refrigerating cycle apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the base material is formed of a part of the refrigerant pipe. The refrigerating cycle apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a display unit for displaying a determination result of corrosion of the refrigerant pipe determined by the processing unit. The processing unit
The rising interval in which the time derivative of the corrosion current increases above the threshold value and
Immediately after the rising section, the decreasing section in which the corrosion current decreases and the decreasing section
Detected
When the rising section is less than 1 second and the decreasing section is 1 second or more and less than 30 seconds, the corrosion of the refrigerant pipe is determined.
The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The refrigeration cycle apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the threshold value is 5 μA / s. The refrigerating cycle apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a four-way valve that changes the direction in which the refrigerant flows in the refrigerant pipe. A refrigeration cycle device equipped with a first heat exchanger, a compressor, a second heat exchanger and an expansion mechanism,
A processing device that communicates with the refrigeration cycle device via a network,
Equipped with
The refrigeration cycle device is
A refrigerant pipe that connects the first heat exchanger, the compressor, the second heat exchanger, and the expansion mechanism, circulates the refrigerant, and contains copper as a main component.
An ACM (Atmospheric Corrosion Controller) sensor, which is arranged on at least one of the outer surface of the refrigerant pipe and the periphery of the refrigerant pipe and detects a corrosion current,
A storage unit that stores information on the corrosion current detected by the ACM sensor, and
A first communication unit that transmits information on the corrosion current stored in the storage unit via the network, and
Have,
The processing device is
A second communication unit that receives information on the corrosion current via the network, and
A processing unit that determines corrosion of the refrigerant pipe based on the change in the corrosion current,
Has a refrigeration cycle system.

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